Source: TSA The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced the award of two orders for a combined total value of up to $781.2 million to Analogic for the procurement and maintenance of base and full-size Computed Tomography (CT) x-ray systems for carry-on items at TSA checkpoints. “These awards are another important step in enhancing aviation security” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske, “They provide our dedicated frontline officers with one of the best tools available to screen passenger carry-on items and also improves the passenger experience by allowing passengers to keep more items in their carry-on bags during the screening process.” The awards are one element in the larger effort to improve checkpoint security screening. The two orders were awarded to procure up to [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the 78th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit will take place 19-21 June 2022 in Doha, Qatar, hosted by Qatar Airways. This will be the second time that the global gathering of aviation's top leaders will be held in Qatar; the first being in 2014. Originally, the 78th IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit were planned for the same dates in Shanghai, People's Republic of China, hosted by China Eastern Airlines. The decision to change the venue reflects continuing COVID-19 related restrictions on travel to China. "It is deeply disappointing that we are a not able to meet in Shanghai as planned. In the [...]

Source: EASA The European Union Aviation Safety Agency published the world’s first guidance for the design of vertiports, the ground infrastructure needed for the safe operation of Urban Air Mobility services such as air taxis in locations across Europe, including in urban areas. The Prototype Technical Design Specifications for Vertiports offers guidance to urban planners and local decision-makers as well as industry to enable the safe design of vertiports that will serve these new types of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, which are already at an advanced stage of development. “Urban air mobility is a completely new field of aviation and we therefore have a unique opportunity to develop a set of infrastructure requirements from scratch,” Patrick Ky, Executive [...]

Source: A4A Airlines for America’s (A4A) Board of Directors sent the following letter to the White House urging the lifting of predeparture testing requirements and the federal mask mandate: Download [215.94 KB] 

Source: CANSO The early results from four End-to-End Route Optimisation trials in Latin America and Caribbean are showing significant savings in time, fuel, and carbon emissions. Carried out by the CANSO ATFM Data Exchange Network for the Americas, CADENA, as a Planned Airway System Alternative (PASA) initiative, the trials were run for 90 days in the second half of 2021 and involved one aircraft from one airline on each of the selected routes. Over the course of the trials, each aircraft produced significant savings and showed how those savings could be projected, per aircraft, over the course of a year. Here’s how each performed. Atlanta – Lima – Atlanta 9 July – 7 October 2021 Savings 90-Day One Year Flight [...]

Source: ALPA Denounces Carrier for Taking Handout, Leaving Small Communities Stranded In a letter sent to Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA) commended the Department of Transportation (DOT) for ensuring that SkyWest Airlines deliver on its pledge to provide air service for America's small and rural communities, while highlighting that the airline has received nearly $2 billion in taxpayer subsidies over the past several years. Earlier this month, the nation's largest regional airline notified DOT of its intent to discontinue Essential Air Service (EAS) to 29 cities, citing pilot staffing challenges. DOT rejected SkyWest's plan and is requiring the airline to continue service to each city until a replacement is found. "We urge the DOT to remain vigilant [...]

Source: IATA The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the launch of the IATA Recommended Practice Per-Passenger CO2 Calculation Methodology. IATA’s Methodology, using verified airline operational data, provides the most accurate calculation methodology for the industry to quantify CO2 emissions per passenger for a specific flight. As travelers, corporate travel managers, and travel agents are increasingly demanding precise flight CO2 emission information, an accurate and standardized calculation methodology is critical. This is particularly true in the corporate sector where such calculations are needed to underpin voluntary emissions reductions targets. “Airlines have worked together through IATA to develop an accurate and transparent methodology using verified airline operational data. This provides the most accurate CO2 calculation for organizations and individuals to make [...]

Source: FAA The Women in Aviation Advisory Board held its final meeting today and voted unanimously to submit its report to the FAA Administrator at the meeting. The FAA will post the report on its website later this week after the board transmits it to the agency. The FAA will review the report and consider the strategies and recommendations outlined to support its efforts in encouraging women to apply their specialized skills in the aviation field. The recommendations are also expected to be used to help the agency encourage students to consider careers in aviation. "I want to thank all of you for your service over these long months. We so appreciate your leadership," said Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg. "I am [...]